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> Home > What to visit > Palaces and Monuments

Palazzo Piccolomini Pienza

PALACES AND MONUMENTS

On the right side of the square stands the Piccolomini Palace, the second most important building that overlooks the square. It was wanted by Pope Pius II, as a residence for himself and his family. It resembles, in shape, the Florentine Ruccellai Palace, designed by the architect Leon Battista Alberti. The facade ,a three-story building, is covered by smooth rustic ashlars. On the ground floor, rectangular windows open up, whereas the upper ones are mullioned windows surmounted by neat capitals. The part, that looks out on the countryside, is embellished by a three-story loggia with a fantastic view on the hanging garden, on the Val d’Orcia and on Mount Amiata. Inside, the large and spacious rooms, the painted frames around the doors, the beautiful ceilings, the structures of the fireplaces, repeat very elegant decorative motifs. On the first floor, now transformed in museum, are located the apartments, richly decorated and furnished. Particularly picturesque, are the Dining Room, the Living Room, and Pius II’s Bedroom. The library is quite important. It houses rare works, ancient books and medallions.

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